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Cocktail

A good chick flick is just the right amount of chewing gum for the brain. Light and breezy it is good while it lasts. Cocktail lasts till a little after interval when it starts moping and mulling. A promising start meets a generic, uninteresting end.

Cocktail - Preview

Another one of those romantic comedies, which looks fresh and entertains - in the trailer, at least.

Three friends, whose characters are defined by the placards they hold - Meera, the typical girl who is liked by boyfriends' moms of friends; Veronica with her aversion to wearing pants; and Gautam who is most likely the man of their lives - and of course, friendship goes through troubles. A love triangle, so no guessing how many ways this can end. And either way is almost always predictable.

The question then, is will they be able to engage us enough to think about who the guy will go for or at least root for one over the other. If not that, in addition to the promise of some fun, I am at least looking forward to some 'moments', especially given Imtiaz Ali is in the writing team.

The fun moments look promising what with self-referencing jokes about Saif Ali Khan's youth being second-hand. But it does hurt to see the threesome take grace out of the dance. Don't they really look like they are performing a pretty awful aerobic routine?

The music seems to have gained some very favorable reviews, though a couple of the songs look like promotional videos (thankfully!). It is clear with the music and the premise and the characters they have picked to represent that this one will be youthful gearing up for maturity, if not anything else

I love well-made romantic comedies, I am sucked in by many a romantic tragedies. But a comedy that becomes a tragedy and a fresh comedy that turns into a clichéd tragedy, it's just disappointing. True, I didn't think Cocktail would be great. In that sense it delivers as promised. But, the problem is it gives hope in the beginning and then just falters and falls in a great thump towards the end. The good thing though is that Cocktail never lets go of the emotions it has stirred - within the characters and thus what we feel for the audience too. If only, they had let go of the generic love triangle towards the end.

You are introduced to abla naari (damsel in distress) Meera (Diana Penty), self-acclaimed cheesy, flirtoholic Gautam (Saif Ali Khan) and one who could pass off as alcoholic, Veronica (Deepika Padukone). Veronica, as if to further define her character is brought in with a bang, especially compared to the background music free introductory tracks of Meera and Gautam. The pace at which this happens is not in the regular cut-chop-done mode either. It eases you in and you like your stay with them as the chemistry brews with fun and freshness and makes them into much-needed therapists for each other.

Unfortunately, as the film progresses you see that very little depth is accorded to Gautam as he soon starts coming across as a shuttlecock in a long rally. In contrast, the female protagonists seem to be holding their own with their dilemmas and yet they plummet to the regular and predictable outcome which most lady leads are destined to – wanting nothing else but to be with their man. Yep, maybe love indeed makes girls behave like girls – forlorn, beyond logic and turns the finest of them into stereotypical whiners.

Yet, I enjoyed the supposed nastiness attached to Veronica much like her namesake from the Archie comics (except the protagonist here seems to be more Reggie than Archie). She carries a palpable loneliness within her and drowns it in the chaos of loud pubs. Deepika Padukone does great in carrying the various emotions without it being necessarily spoon-fed. Even in a scene where she looks out-of-sorts while trying to seduce her man, you see what she's getting at right after.

Similarly, Diana Penty, the demure desi in town puts forth her dilemma, her suppressed angst against how her life has shaped up with great warmth. But when these smart, independent women fall head-over-heels in love with an obnoxious over-the-top charmer you only wonder why two beautiful characters are being drowned in inanity. Saif Ali Khan looks at least five years older than he is made out to be. That besides he goes overboard with Gautam's cockiness. As intentional as it might have been, it doesn't make me root for Gautam and his dilemma comes across as silly and immature.

It's not that women like 'these' can't fall in love with men like 'that' - it's love, anything can happen - but why I am being asked to give the writers or their characters benefit of doubt? Why can't I see it? I like both women enough that I want both of them to get what they want, but I don't see why they want what they want.

Then come the many other quibbles. Not resorting to needless backstory is one thing, and a vivacious Veronica having no friends before Meera and Gautam is quite another. These are the things that distract from the believability of the story. On the other hand, the backstory offered by way of Gautam's mom (Dimple Kapadia) and uncle (Boman Irani) make you wish it wasn't offered. Their characters are mere pawns in making the story make that twist that turns it into ever-so-blah. Not to mention the two awesome actors are made to play loud, meatless characters. Similarly, Meera's husband's (Randeep Hooda) track is also avoidable thus saving a lot of precious screentime.

It is all left to the threesome then to pull it through. They do manage for a bit but what can actors do once the script has fallen prey to standard terms and conditions. No experimentation, no risks, no gut.

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up,
by amodini,
Amodini's Movie Reviews
:
...Even with it’s flaws, this is a well-made film. I’d expected better from writer Imtiaz Ali, but it is still a worth-while watch....
full review

Thumbs up,
by Rony Dcosta,
Desi Martini
:
...Word of mouth Two steps forward. One step backward. More of a Mocktail than a Cocktail but still worth a try....
full review

Thumbs up,
by Smita,
Desi Martini
:
...Overall, its a fun movie to watch. You laugh, you sigh, you tap your feet, chomp your popcorn, leave the theatre and slip back into your routine feeling pleasantly happy. ...
full review

Thumbs up,
by Kshitij,
Desi Martini
:
...There is nothing unbelievably novel about Cocktail but the beauty of the film lies in the authenticity of the storytelling....
full review

Thumbs up,
by Aniruddha Guha,
DNA
:
...The best thing about Cocktail is that it is as different as a film can get within a very conventional format. ...
full review

Thumbs up,
by Blessy Chettiar,
DNA
:
...Homi Adjania’s direction is impeccable, with Padukone the jewel in his crown. ...
full review

Thumbs up,
by Divya Solgama,
Gomolo.in
:
...The movie has a perfect title as it’s a great blend of Spice, Sour, Sweet and Passion in it. It’s only as you try to finish your ‘Cocktail’ drink you get a little bitter taste of some wrong ...
full review

Thumbs up,
by Vivek,
India Entertainment
:
...There isn’t much in Cocktail for us to take home except the feeling of having watched a pleasant and warm love story that does not take our sensibilities for granted nor overdoes the gloss as a compensation for real romance....
full review

Thumbs up,
by Roshni Devi,
koimoi
:
...Cocktail is a nice and enjoyable movie for the dialogues, songs and performances. But the second half is a real drag....
full review

Thumbs up,
by Saibal Chatterjee,
NDTV
:
...Cocktail has just the right mix of fizz and flavour to allow the occasional and inevitable crinkles of triteness to flow well below the surface...
full review

Thumbs up,
by K N Gupta,
SmasHits.com
:
...There's a lot of fun and laughs in the first half. But the twists in the second half are a bit too unpalatable. The movie however culminates into a comedy. Like the script, the music is good too. ...
full review

Thumbs up,
by Resham Sengar,
Zee News
:
...The storyline of the movie is gripping and will keep you hooked and booked.
Talking about the songs, they are as foot tapping as they could get. “Tumhi Ho Bandhu” deserves a special mention here as it will make you get up from your seats and shake a leg as the song is played on the big screen....
full review

So-So,
by Anna M.M.Vetticad,
annavetticadgoes2themovies
:
...bubbly in the first half, boring in the second, pretending to be free-thinking but actually narrow-minded and stereotypical to the core. ...
full review

So-So,
by Nikhil Kumar,
Apun Ka Choice
:
...What works in Cocktail is the film’s first half. It’s breezy, funny and laced with Saif’s roguish charm, Deepika’s raging dipsomania, and Diana’s winsome bashfulness. It’s in the second half that the plot goes haywire and despite all the scramble by Homi Adajania to cobble it together into a meaningful, touching piece of drama, Cocktail ends up being a good looking average film...
full review

So-So,
by Taran Adarsh,
Bollywood Hungama
:
...COCKTAIL has a fascinating first half, charismatic performances, harmonious music and the trendy look and styling as its aces, but the second half is not as tempting or intoxicating as the first hour....
full review

So-So,
Buzz in Town
:
...Cocktail nearly missed being an intoxicating threesome! Watch it once for the great music, fine direction, some great moments and Diana Penty!...
full review

So-So,
by Nupur Barua,
fullhyd.com
:
...The cinematography is not astounding, but the locales are. The production and costume designs are above average, and believable, but Diana Penty could have done with some better clothes. The music is loud, but there is no hint of plagiarism...
full review

So-So,
by Shubhra Gupta,
indian express
:
...No loud background music, no motor mouth lines, just blessed quiet, the way sometimes you want to know what you are feeling without ruining it with chatter. But it can’t handle the being emo half as deftly. ...
full review

So-So,
Movie Talkies
:
...The story might be predictable and without any real surprises, but Adajania and his team get full marks as far as visual appeal goes. The cinematography, the styling and the way the songs have been shot are quite easy on the eyes. The film does have a fresh and colourful look and the music too is quite decent...
full review

So-So,
by Mansha Rastogi,
Now Running.com
:
...Cocktail can make for a decent time-pass watch if you have the capacity to digest the cliched melodrama. ...
full review

Thumbs down,
by Bobby Sing,
Bobby Talks Cinema.com
:
...I enjoyed watching both its performances and the treatment given to its predictable storyline before the intermission. But post that, the same narration turns so routine that it becomes really hard to even bear it for another hour or so....
full review

Thumbs down,
by Pooja Rao,
Bolly Spice
:
...Even as the first half with its free-spirit, cheerful vibes, and breezy treatment has you savoring the mix and going hic hic hurray, the second half just like a hangover the morning after makes you feel nauseous and dizzy....
full review

Thumbs down,
by Martin D'Souza,
Glamsham.com
:
...It's a cocktail alright, but one which lacks punch. A flat drink with no fizz and lots of salt at the rim of the glass which knocks you back with its sting....
full review

Thumbs down,
by Rajeev Masand,
IBN Live
:
...even as the tone shifts uncomfortably from breezy, light-hearted fun, to heavy drama in the second half, you're never in danger of actually caring for the cardboard characters in this empty souffle of a film. ...
full review

Thumbs down,
by Sanjukta Sharma,
Live Mint
:
...The costumes, sets and overall production design are hip. But none of it eventually matters because it is one of those romcoms which, while reaffirming the love-conquers-all formula, tests your patience. ...
full review

Thumbs down,
by Janhavi Samant,
MiD DAY
:
...it is a Hindi film after all and things have to get maudlin at some point....
full review

Thumbs down,
by Karan Anshuman,
Mumbai Mirror
:
...The second half gets serious and clichéd with one predictable outcome after another; a checklist for formula...
full review

Thumbs down,
by Raja Sen,
Rediff
:
...Cocktail has a handful of moments and a few genuine sparks, but finally crashes and burns so spectacularly that it's hard to focus on the positives....
full review

Thumbs down,
by Sonia Chopra,
Sify Movies
:
...The film is well-packaged and looks good. But the story disappoints. Humour is consistent but not as funny as in other rom-coms. In places, the film tries too hard to be funny...
full review

Thumbs down,
by Anuj Kumar,
The Hindu
:
...All the gloss and sauce fail to make us feel for any of the characters because their transitions don’t pass muster. From the breezy first half, the film peters out into predictable situations, scenes that we have grown up watching. The pointless melodrama goes on and on, culminating in a resolution that is unbelievably cheesy. ...
full review

Thumbs down,
by Gaurav Malani,
Times of India
:
...Thereby after laughing on every formula of any love story, when this cocktail can't do away with the basic emotional ingredients of a love triangle, the film's nonchalant attitude backfires....
full review

Thumbs down,
by Rahul Desai,
Upper Stall
:
...A few well-executed scenes stand out, though they're still nothing out of the ordinary...
full review

What did not

Note: This section simply lists the things that I did not like in this movie. This is not the overall impression about this movie. Please read the full review here

Everything that was typical of romantic films. From the abandoned lover seeing their reflection in a broken mirror to a lover going from one country to another to find their loved one.

Nitty-Gritty

This section lists things that I think are not important to the overall impact of the movie. In most cases, it could be explained away by something like, "we noticed the glitch after the scene was shot and there were schedule/budget issues and thus we could not re-shoot it". I like giving the makers the benefit of doubt, but I am amused nevertheless. Hopefully, they will tickle you too.

Well what a regressive movie!!! A fun-loving, independent women will have to be a demure Indian "naari" even for an idiot like SAK's character. And I am surprised the film doing well and women especially liking it! When do we as audiences plan to grow up?

Rachit Gupta has given this movie a Nay! Thumbs Down(Waste of time! Nothing new... Only bright spark is Deepika Padukone!).
Rachit Gupta has posted 32 comments and has rated 20 movies. See Rachit Gupta's page for more details.

NJK

This is the worst movie of the decade and does not deserve more than one star. It has a stupid buffoonish character who lies to get women in bed. Then he meets an independent girl and he moves in, they shack up. Enter another charming girl, this time a sati savitri in a mini. He prefers her naturally as she is the virginal type, and lo behold she too likes him too! What is sad is that an independent fearless girl like Veronica wants to now change a hundred percent into a sati savitri to please the guy. She wants to become everything he wants her to be. She says she will do anything if he will have her. It's so pathetic and sad! A real shame. I am very ashamed that this movie is successful. Is this our India?

NJK has given this movie a Nay! Thumbs Down(A retrograde film, completely male chauvinistic, and humiliating for women. Also pure trash.).
NJK has posted 1 comments and has rated 1 movies. See NJK's page for more details.

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